The Nats try to take three of four from the Giants tonight at Nationals Park.

The Nationals had planned all season to celebrate Military Appreciation Night during tonight's game against the Giants. Little did anyone know how appropriate that would be. Should make for a compelling scene tonight at Nationals Park.

As a reminder to anyone who doesn't know: Any active or retired members of the military are welcome to show IDs at the First Street SE box office beginning at 5:30 p.m. and receive four complimentary tickets for themselves and their families.

As for the actual game, the Nationals will be looking to win their third game in four days against the defending World Series champs. It's a matchup of left-handers, with Tom Gorzelanny going up against Madison Bumgarner. Slumping Adam LaRoche gets the night off, with Michael Morse at first base, Jerry Hairston in left field and Brian Bixler at third base.

Wow!… This is interesting. Desmond 5th and Morse 6th?And Ankiel has actually hit lefties better than righties. I believe it's because his approach against them is more "make contact" instead of "yank it out of the park".

Just a short follow-up to some comments yesterday about Mark Z covering the Caps occasionally. I'm pretty sure he isn't happy, but, I'm surprised no one else noticed this pattern: He covered the Caps Friday night, they lost and the Nats won (beating the Freak, no less). He covered the Nats on Saturday, and they lost. He covered the Caps on Sunday, they lost and the Nats won. Coincidences? Let Mark cover the Caps for two more games, and we should have him back full-time on the Nats beat.

Perfect timing for the Nats for Military Appreciation night! I know they planned this a long time ago and it just perfect. I hope the military show up by the 10's of thousands as I am sure the Lerner's would love to see Red, White and Blue all over the stadium.God Bless America!

Time for Riggleman to put HRod into the BP mix. He didn't have any problem doing that with lesser talents like Coffey and Gaudin, even if they had more 'experience'.As often described by other commenters, Riggleman has difficulty getting past the 'old boy network'!He's using Clip too much, and at some point he'll be abusing Stor. Sorta like Brian Cashman's criticism of Torrey.

I missed the Phillies-Mets game where fans in the stands were showing there cell phones with news about Osama Bin Laden biting the dust.That would have been awesome; wish I could catch up to it—it must have gone on for a few minutes!

Who knew the Giants were this bad. I didn't. I'll be disappointed if they don't take the series tonight. Course they could have had a sweep. It would have taken SO LITTLE to win that stinker of a game on Saturday. UGH!I hope this is a routine day off for LaRoche. I watched him all weekend and thought he looked like it hurt to walk. Goodness knows we need him to catch the adventurous throws from our infielders.Last post on the first month was great and drew some interesting comments. Very sorry I got home late and didn't get to comment. Perhaps something similar before too long, Mark.Go Nats!

FOTB, fyi (I'm just saying):natsfan1a said… Uh, I think Mark went to the wrong game again. … May 1, 2011 10:17 PM Sec 3, My Sofa said… Maybe they need to send Mark out to take pix at the Caps game once in a while. May 1, 2011 10:32 PM

carolync said… Who knew the Giants were this bad. I didn't._______________________________Way to give some credit to the Nats. The Giants have exceptional pitching and are struggling at the bat but how's about how well the Nats pitchers, catchers and defense did on shutting them down!

Pudge was brought up in the previous blog post and I heard Werth complimenting him in a post-game interview yesterday.If Pudge isn't a trade target where he brings back prospects, it gives Rizzo a nice option to consider making extending Pudge as a backup and trade Flores. I see Flores is doing well in Syracuse and he has to be coveted by many teams. Having 2 good young catchers is why the Twins considered trading Ramos in the first place so I think if Flores progresses at Syracuse they have Ramos, Pudge, Flores and Norris in the future. It is a good problem to have!

The Nats should trade Flores and a decent minor league arm to the Royals for 2B Johnny Giavotella. The kid can rake and he's got a real hitters eye. Do the Royals have a young major league ready catcher that they're high on? and then trade Desmond in a package at the end of the year. Move Espi back to SS, put Johnny G at 2B and he could be our leadoff in 2012. That's what I'd do.

Bumgarner stepping towards home team dugout, planting landing leg, then twisting as he throws across his body… isn't that the same motion that eventually put Detwiler on the DL last year with a bad hip?

Pitching for both teams great. Through 5 both teams are 0 for 2 RISP.The April stats had the Nats second lowest strikes out. I would love to know how many were called third strikes. Seems the percentage is way too high compared to other teams.The first pitch to Morse right over the plate. the third a bit inside, but you cannot take it.

I've got a little project at work that I am hoping the Insiders can help me with. I am looking for great examples of crowd interaction. I know it's not a popular example, but the Braves Chop is a great piece of crowd interaction. Can anyone suggest others from US sport? Doesn't have to be baseball, can be any sport, at any level, as long as I can find an example on youtube. Thanks in advance.

I have been waiting 28 games to see the Nats make a team pay for a mistake!Nice!!!!!!!! Personally I would have pulled Gorzelanny for a pinch hitter and turned it to the bullpen. Bases loaded with the pitcher on the hook at the bottom of the 7th is where I would have gone with it.

TimDz, I don't disagree with you except it is a 2 run lead. Nothing to prove. The Nats need the W and Riggleman got lucky with the tying run on base. I think a 3 run lead he stays in the game.Glad it worked out. I just think Riggleman is bowing to fan pressure to let the starters go longer. It backfired in the Lannan game. Just sayin….

Okay, I'm gonna be real stupid and just say it. This is a better team than people give them credit for. Let me be the first to say the Nationals will win 90 games this season…Hmmm no, not really UNTERP. What is true, however, is that baseball beat writers Ben Geossling and Mark Zuckerman were completely wrong about Tom Gorzelanny. YOu want a #2 guy who can deal after Strasburg? Someone maybe left handed? John Lannan Ben? Hah!!!Better than a #5 starter that seems a good bet at this point. I'll bet you on that Natsjack. But it still doesn't mean they are going to win 70 games. They are going to have to deal Marquis (and hopefully Lannan before his value plummets) and then its get ready for 2012/2013 with much better prospects (especially pitchers), less decrepit veterans and a new manager.

I was surprised ti see Gorzelany considered a #5 on this staff, myself. Aussie, one of my favorites is the Phoenix Coyotes (NHL) fans, howling along with Warren Zevon on Werewolves of London when the 'yotes score.

Just got back from the game. Taking 3 out of 4 from the defending World Series champs feels pretty good, especially after the historic loss on Saturday. Now if the Nats can take 2 of 3 from the Phillies in Citizens Bank Park, I'll start drinking UNTERP's 90 win Kool-Aid.

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but to all who are high on Gorzo right now, were you watching the game? He was giving up a lot of fly balls and were it not for some outstanding defense, this could have gone the other way.I don't mean to take anything away from him, but he is what he is. Quite frankly, I felt like we were playing with house money this game and were lucky to take a win away from the hapless Giants. If Gorzo can do it again against the Fish, I'll start believing.As far as not batting for Gorzo in 7th, what amazing batter were we going to put in his stead? Alex Cora? Matt Stairs? Gorzo has as much a chance to get a hit as anyone on the bench. Might as well let him keep rolling.

Please stop saying 'we took 3 out of 4 from defending world series champs'. While the statement might be true, it does not mean as much because Giants are struggling too. Our pitching beat their pitching, which is great because Giants have one of the best rotations in baseball. Yeah, we should celebrate that fact. Even after dropping Danny from my fantasy team, he continues to struggle. Glad to know it wasn't me, but the leadoff spot is not suitable for the kid.

The kid is an absolute beast. Games 23At bats 76Hits 27Average .355HR 6Doubles 8Runs 16RBI 20SB 4On base percentage .456Slugging percentage .697OPS: 1.153Let's start working on a nickname now. Since these are already taken — Splendid Splinter, Iron Horse, Hammer, Say Hey Kid, Mick, Duke…Would you believe:The Stormin' Mormon?Harper Volley TBA?Bryce Mountain?But seriously: Eveybody here has waited through the lean years — and for many of us that included Washington's 33-year nuclear winter.What a blessed reward it will be when Harper, Strasburg, Cole and the new No. 6 pick join this group.This is going to be fun.

Drew8 Said: "What a blessed reward it will be when Harper, Strasburg, Cole and the new No. 6 pick join this group.This is going to be fun."___________Thanks for the wonderful and imaginative post on an evening we can dream of White Christmases and possible 2011 .500 finishes.Patience my friends . . . patience.